Cops nab 3 ‘police agents’ in N. Cotabato checkpoint

KIDAPAWAN CITY - Three persons who claimed to be agents of a police unit operating in North Cotabato were arrested during a highway check in Pikit town, around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Chief Inspector Jordine Maribojo, chief of the Pikit Police Station, identified the suspects as Cyril Fajardo Abapo, 26, of Sitio Bugoc, Barangay Ma-a, Davao City; Galileo Hinosa Jr., 35, of Barangay Lanao, Kidapawan City; and Danilo Jalwin Licatan, 59, of Poblacion, Kidapawan City.

Maribojo said the suspects, when asked why they were carrying firearms, claimed to be civilian investigative support (CIS) agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Team.

They, however, could not present documents that exempt them from the gun ban.

The Pikit police and the 7th Infantry Battalion of the Army recovered from the suspects three .45 caliber handguns; seven magazines for .45 pistol; and 23 rounds of live ammunition, also for .45 pistols.

Maribojo said the suspects, all on board a red Suzuki motorcycle with license plate number YDU 984, were on their way to Davao City when they were flagged down along the highway.

They told authorities they had just come from Pigcawayan town, also in North Cotabato.

Maribojo said the three were placed under police custody as they were readying charges of violation of Comelec Resolution Number 9588 or Gun Ban against them.